Second and Third Punic Wars

Fall of Carthage

Hannibal continued to attack around Italy for another decade, but the Romans returned to the Fabian strategy and suffered no more huge losses.

Gradually, Rome regained all of the major cities in Italy and regained strength

Decade of Attack

While Hannibal was still in Italy, Rome gathered two armies of 20 000 and sent them to the Iberian Peninsula (modern Spain) which was a source of Hannibal’s military strength.

Control of Iberia was important to Hannibal: it was a way to be supplied with men and a lifeline if needed for food and retreat.

After suffering initial defeats, general Publius Cornelius Scipio (the second one, later known as Scipio Africanus) gained victories over the Carthaginians. In 206 BC he forced Hannibal’s brother Hamilcar to retreat to Italy and took control of Iberia.

Iberian Peninsula

Scipio used his popularity to gather an army to invade Africa.

Carthage could either sue for peace in the face of attack, or could summon Hannibal back to defend. Their government was torn.

Hannibal returned to negotiate peace, but negotiations failed. The Second Punic War had to be decided by a final Battle.

On to Africa

Hannibal had 36 000 infantry, 4000 cavalry and 80 elephants.

Scipio had 29 000 infantry, 6100 cavalry, mostly Numidian allies.

Scipio had the cavalry advantage if he could beat the elephants.

Battle of Zama

His plan was to let the elephants charge right through, and deal with them at the back. It worked.

Battle of Zama

Hannibal ordered his cavalry to retreat when attacked, removing the Roman cavalry from battle.

This left the infantry at a stalemate more or less. Each general used different but equal strategies.

Battle of Zama

The Roman cavalry, having defeated the Carthaginian cavalry away from the battle, returned and attacked Hannibal from behind. Hannibal’s army was annihilated: 20 000 dead, 20 000 prisoners.

Romans lost a few thousand.

Battle of Zama

Rome hit Carthage with harsh terms designed to prevent them from ever rising up again. They had to pay an indemnity of 200 silver talents every year for 50 years.

In addition to payment, Carthage had to ask permission to declare war, and Rome decided any border disputes between Carthage and Numidia.

Third Punic War (149-146)

In 151, the 50 years of payments was over. Carthage thought the treaty ended. Rome thought that the war and border clauses were permanent.

When Numidia raided Carthage and they defended themselves, Rome called it a violation of the treaty. They used it as grounds to make petty demands on Carthage such as more payment and retreat from the city of Utica in Africa.

Treaty over?

Carthage eventually refused to negotiate with Rome on the new terms after defending from attack.

In 149 BC, Rome placed Carthage under siege. Carthage managed to repel them until 146 when Rome finally broke through and attacked the city.

Only 50 000 citizens survived the siege and the final attacks. All were sold into slavery.

The Romans destroyed the city and burned it down. The area was turned into farmland and annexed to Rome, as were all of the cities that belonged to Carthage’s empire.

Siege of Carthage

Carthage